<pRhea Ripley remains one of the most formidable female wrestlers today, known for her exceptional power and dominance in the ring. Within the wrestling world, her status as one of the strongest women is undisputed, making the discussion around rivals who can match her strength particularly compelling.
Physical Rivals from AEW Who Could Challenge Ripley
While WWE boasts a few competitors who can stand toe-to-toe with Ripley, it is intriguing to explore talent from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) capable of matching her impressive strength. Several AEW performers possess both the size and skill to potentially outmatch Ripley in terms of sheer power, which creates exciting speculation for future cross-promotional encounters.
3. Megan Bayne’s Advantage in Size and Presence
Megan Bayne, who joined AEW in early 2025, has built a strong reputation with her commanding ring presence, enhanced by her striking appearance that earned her the nickname “Megasus.” Before arriving at AEW, Bayne made her mark in Japan’s STARDOM promotion, thrilling fans with her physicality and wrestling ability.
Standing at 5’7″ and weighing approximately 20 kilograms more than Ripley, Bayne holds clear physical advantages. These factors suggest that in a direct confrontation focused on strength, Bayne could possess the upper hand over Ripley. Currently, she teams with Penelope Ford in AEW’s MegaBad tag team, having been serious contenders for the AEW Women’s Tag Team titles prior to Ford’s injury.
2. Lena Kross’s Imposing Frame and Strength
Lena Kross made a significant impact with her AEW Grand Slam: Australia 2026 debut after initially appearing on AEW Collision in mid-2025. Upon her full signing, Kross aligned herself with MegaBad, joining forces with Bayne and Ford to strengthen the group.
Kross stands out at 6 feet tall, making her notably taller than Ripley by about five inches, and she weighs 75 kilograms, adding roughly 10 kilograms more than Ripley. Her physical stature alone could pose a serious challenge for Ripley in a test of strength, suggesting that Kross could potentially overpower the Australian wrestler if they ever met in competition.
1. Kris Statlander: The Rising Equal to Ripley’s Power
While Bayne and Kross may surpass Ripley in certain physical measures, Kris Statlander closes the gap both in status and strength within the industry. As the former AEW Women’s World Champion and a key figure under Tony Khan, Statlander’s blend of athleticism and power makes her arguably Ripley’s most comparable opponent from AEW.
The “Galaxy’s Greatest Alien” is slightly taller and heavier than Ripley. With the right strategy and positioning, Statlander could leverage her size to overpower Ripley, setting the stage for what could be a highly anticipated matchup. Fans eagerly await the possibility of these two elite athletes facing off, an event that would draw significant attention and showcase the evolving strength dynamics in women’s wrestling.
The Impact of Potential Matchups on Women’s Wrestling
Bringing AEW competitors like Bayne, Kross, and Statlander into the conversation about Rhea Ripley’s strength introduces dynamic possibilities for wrestling’s competitive landscape. Such matchups would not only test Ripley’s reign as the strongest woman but also elevate AEW’s female roster by spotlighting their formidable powerhouses. These encounters could shape future storylines, intensify rivalries, and captivate fans across promotions while pushing the limits of women’s strength in the sport.
LENA KROSS JUST RE-DEBUTED IN AEW JOINING MEGABAD. 🔥
Lena Kross attacked Willow Nightingale/Harley Cameron after their win in Sydney and… she’s officially ALL ELITE!!!
pic.twitter.com/54Ew8j70kF— Drainmaker (@TheDrainmaker) February 15, 2026
